Colt or calf weaner.



G. H. PATTERSON.

COLT 0B. GALE WEANER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21,1912.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES G. H. PATTERSON.

COLT 0R GALF WEANBR.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1912.

Patented May 6, 1913.

2 SHEETS-4333']? 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR v6, 50/0 WW a COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH cu. WASHINGTON. n. c

CHARLES H. PATTERSON, 0F TRINIDAD, COLORADO.

COLT OR CALF WEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 1913.

Application filed September 21, 1912. Serial No. 721,590.

To all whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. PATTER- SON, citizen of the United States, residing at Trinidad, in the county of Las Animas and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Colt or Calf VVeaners, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to colt and calf weaners of the muzzle type; and it contemplates a weaner constructed in such manner that it is strong and well adapted to withstand the rough usage to which such devices are ordinarily subjected, and one that may be depended on to open when the calf or colts head is in posit-ion to graze, and to close when the animal raises its head to nurse.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claim when the same are read in connection with the drawings, accompanying and forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustrating the guard member of my novel weaner in the position is assumes when the calf or colt moves its head down to the ground in order to graze. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a view showing the position the guard member of the weaner assumes when a colt puts its head down to graze. Fig. 1 is a view that shows the position assumed by the guard member when the colt raises its head to nurse.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all views of the drawm s.

TVIy novel weaner comprises a muzzle-receiving member 1 and a guard member 2. The muzzle-receiving member is preferably made of sheet-metal, and is foraminous, as indicated by 3, in order to enable the colt or calf to freely breathe. In form the member 1 is tubular, and is slightly tapered toward its lower end where it is provided with a lip 41: that is imperforate and extends forward from the rear portion of its lower end. Between the forward edge 5 of the said lip 4 and the forward portion of the member 1 is an opening 6 which enables the colt or calf to freely graze when the said opening is not covered by the lower transverse portion of the guard member. At its upper edge the muzzle-receiving member is provided with a barrel 7 in which is inclosed a reinforcing wire 8, and at diametrically opposite points the upper portion of the member 1 is recessed, as indicated by 9, for the accommodation of loops 10, the bights of which receive the portions of the wire 8 adjacent the said recesses 9. The said loops 10 are carried by straps which may form parts of a head stall or other suitable device employed in the fastening of the member 1 on the muzzle of the animal.

At diametrically opposite points the muzzle-receiving member 1 is provided with lateral studs 11, and pivoted on the said studs 11 are the side walls 12 of the guard member 2, whereby said guard member is enabled to freely swing vertically relative to the muzzle-receiving member 1. In addition to the side walls 11, the guard member comprises a transverse and foraminous guard portion 13, which is preferably integral with the side walls, and is designed to close the opening 6 at the end of the member 1 and prevent the colt or calf from nursing, and this without interfering with the free breathing of the animal. With a view to contributing to the strength and durability of the guard member 2, I prefer to have the same also comprise a bail-shaped reinforcement 14. The said reinforcement 1a is formed of bar metal and has its side arms riveted to or otherwise fixed on the side walls 12 so as to receive the studs 11, and also has its transverse portion disposed in rear of and spaced from the muzzlereceiving portion or member 1.

It will be readily manifest that the portion of the guard member in rear of the cen ter of movement of the said member is much heavier than the portion thereof in front of the center of movement, and from this it follows that when the colt or calf lowers its head to graze and the muzzle-receiving member is in a vertical position, the portion of the guard member in rear of the center of movement thereof will have gravitated and thereby have moved the transverse portion 13 of the guard member forward of the opening 6 at the lower end of the muzzle-receiving member 1 so as to enable the colt or calf to freely graze without discomfort. When, however, the colt or calf puts its head up in a position to nurse, the gravitation of the rear portion of the guard member in the direction opposite to that first named will operate to carry the guard portion 13 against the lip 4 so that the opening 6 is fully closed, and the colt or calf is effectually prevented from nursing.

It will be readily appreciated from Fig. 2 that because of the guard member 2 depending below the muzzle-receiving member 1 when the animal puts its muzzle to the ground no portion of the muzzle-receiving member 1 contacts with the ground when the animal is in theact of grazing, and therefore there is no liability of the guard member becoming frozen on the muzzle-receiving member; and it will also be appreciated that the weaner is at once reliable in operation, inexpensive, and strong and durable.

In common with the major portion of the muzzle receiving member 1, the side walls 1.2 and the transverse guard portion 13 of the guard member are preferably formed of sheet-metal, and when deemed expedient the sheet-metal and other portions of the weaner may be galvanized.

Having described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

An animal weaner comprising a foraminous muzzle-receiving member, tubular in form and having a lip extending forward from the rear portion of its lower end, and an opening between said lip and its forward portion; and a guard member having side walls pivoted to and receiving the muzzlereceiving member and also having a transverse guard portion construoted and arranged to bring up against the lip of the muzzle receiving member when the animal raises its head to nurse, the portion of the guard member in rear of the center of movement thereof being heavier than its portion in front of said center, and the guard memher being arranged to depend below the muzzle-receiving member when the animal puts its head down to graze, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

E. J. RICE, I L. A. MOSER.

Copies of this patent. may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

. Washington, D. C. 

